Lined folding boxes



March 5, 1957. M. I. WILLIAMSON 2,783,876

LINED FOLDING BOXES Filed Feb. 21, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 7 Marshall Williamson BY W 19. IM

A Trek/vs) March 5, 1957 M. I. WILLIAMSON LINED FOLDING BOXES Filed Feb. 21, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. Marshall I. Williamson March 5, 1957 v M, w Alv so 2,783,876

LINED FOLDING BOXES Filed Feb. 21, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR; Marsha/I Williamson- ATTORNEY March 5, 1957 M. I. WILLIAMSON LINED FOLDING BOXES 4 She ets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 21, 1955 Fig. 6

m m mm mw m m U. 0 m m M ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,783,876 LINED FOLDING BOXES Marshall I. Williamson, New Haven, Conn. Application February 21, 1955, Serial No. 489,518 Claims. (Cl. 206-4513) This invention relates to improvements in self-lined folding box structures. The invention is adaptable to a variety of uses and applications and is particularly suited for use in connection with hollow walled folding boxes to provide a cover therefor.

Hollow walled folding boxes are a desirable for the decorative packaging of merchandise. of box provides a frame effect for the packaged dise and may be constructed with walls of either lar or triangular cross-section.

If hollow walled boxes are to be equipped with a cover, a problem is presented, in that an outside-fitting cover destroys the appearance of walls of rectangular cross-section. An outside cover cannot be securely fitted, if the walls of the box are of triangular cross-section.

' In either case the use of an inside-fitting cover is indicated. The invention provides a folding box structure eminently suited for this purpose.

However, the present invention is not limited in its application to box covers, but may be employed with advantage wherever a self-lined box structure is required, regardless of whether it is to serve as a box cover, a box body, or a tray.

An improved folding style of box This style merchanbox structure embodying the invention comprises an outer shell and an inner liner, both forming portions of the same box blank. The box liner comprises a liner panel overlying the main panel. The main panel may be a top panel, in the event the box structure serves as a cover, or may be a bottom panel, in the event the structure serves as a box body or tray.

The liner panel overlying the main panel is characterized by undulations. These undulations are the result of the specific dimensions of the liner panel whose length is greater than can be accommodated in flat condition between the wall panels.

The number of undulations andthe elevation of the crests of the undulations above the main panel are optional and depend on the particular purpose which the undulations serve. For example, a single crest may be provided intermediate the side wall panels and this crest may be provided with suitable means for supporting merchandise. As a typical example may be mentioned a slit which supports the blade of a knife. Two or more undulations may also be employed particularly where the desired effect is mainly decorative, and the valley portions of the liner panel which rest upon the main panel may be adhesively secured to the main panel. The corrugatedetfect of the liner panel is particularly striking if metalized board is rectangua hollow walled box having used, for example, aluminum surfaced board because the various portions of the undulations act like facets reflecting light in different degrees.

The invention is further characterized by a panel arrangement which permits the box structure to be attached to a hollow walled box body in such a way that the cover is hinged, can be inserted into the box body in open, upright position and causes certain panels to be elevated and tilted automatically in the manner of a display panel.

2,783,876 Patented Mar. 5, 1957 These and various other objects, features and advantages will appear more fully from the detailed description which follows, accompanied by drawings showing, for the purpose of illustration, representative embodiments of the invention. The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and a combination of elements hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the characteristic features of this invention which are believed to be novel will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective exploded view of a hollow walled tray or box body and a hinged cover insertable into the box body;

Fig. 2.is a plan view of a blank from which the cover portion of the box structure of Fig. 1 may be made;-

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank of Fig. 2 after initial gluing and folding operations; 7

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the cover structure in the process of assembly;

.Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of the hollow walled tray and cover of Fig. l, the cover being in display position;

Fig. 6 is .a sectional side view of the box structure of Fig. 5 with the cover closed; and

' Fig. '7 is a sectional side view of a modified form of a self-lined box structure in which the liner of the main panel forms a single crest.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specific names for convenience. These names, however, are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit. Corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying, and forming part of, this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for the purpose of explanation of broader aspects of the invention, but it is understood that details may be modified in various respects without departure from the principles of the invention and that the invention may be applied to other structures than the one shown.

The combined box structure shown in Figure 1 comprises a hollow walled box body A and a separate box cover structure B which is so constructed that it provides a display easel which is automatically raised to a slanted position when the cover is opened, as will be pointed out hereinafter in greater detail.

The box body is of hollow walled construction, walls of substantially triangular cross-section being shown for the purpose of illustration. Such boxes form the subject matter of myprior Patent 2,522,325, dated September 12, 1950, and a specific form of construction suitable for the illustrated box and cover combination is disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 348,359, filed April 13, 1953, now Patent 2,765,113, dated October 2, 1956.

The box cover portion may be constructed from a blank B shown in Figure 2. The blank may be cut and scored in multiple from rolls or sheets of paper board, cardboard, or other flexible sheet material. Only ,one side of the board need be imprinted, metalized, or

assen /e Corner flaps 20, 21, 22, and 23 are articulated to the outer side panels 12 and 13 along corner fold lines 24, 25, 26 and 27. Inner end panels 28 and 29 arerarticulated to the outer end panels 16 and 17 along fold lines 31) and 31. Auxiliary crease lines 32 and 33 may extend across the inner end panels 23 and 29 to facilitate assembly of the box structure, as will later become apparent.

The remainder of the blank comprises, in this order, an inner side panel 34, an inner main panel 35, a further inner side panel 36, a back panel 37, an easel or display panel 33, an upper tuck flap 39, a lower tuck flap 40, a liner panel 41 and a rear tuck flap 42. These panels and flaps are articulated to one another along fold lines 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, Si) and 51. An auxiliary crease line 52 may extend across the linerpanel 41 to facilitate insertion into the box body.

The fold lines 44 and 45 bordering the inner main panel may be weakened to a greater extent than the, remaining fold lines, for example, by interrupted cuts extending entirely through the board, this being indicated in the drawings by dash double-dot-lines in distinction from plain fold lines which are shown as dashsingle-dot-lines.

For reasons which will soon become apparent'the height h of the inner side panels 34 and 36 is less than the height H of the outer side panels 12 and'13. For similar reasons the length L of the inner main panel 35 is greater than the length l of the outer main panel 11.

Since the inner main panel 35 is larger than the outer main panel 11, it is evident that the inner main panel could not be accommodated in flat condition in the box structure to form a liner for the outer main panel.

According to the invention the inner'main panel is undulated to form ridges and valleys, the height of the ridges over the valleys being sufficient to take up the difference between the length L of the inner main panel and the length l of the outer main panel over which it must fit.

In order to predetermine the location of the ridges and valleys, the inner main panel 35 is provided with a number of auxiliary crease lines 53, 54, 55 and 56. As will later become more clearly apparent, the panel portions 57, 58, 59 and 6% become ridge portions and the portion 61 becomes a valley portion.

The width w of the blank B as measured between the outer edges 62 and 63 is slightly smaller than'the width W measured between the outer edges 64 and 65, the width W being so selected to provide a snug fit between the end walls 66 and 67 of the hollow walled box body portion A. The width w of the blank is so selected as to insure a loose fit of the cover proper between the end walls 66 and 67 so that the cover may be readily opened andreclosed.

Thedisplay panel 33 may be provided with a tabextension 68 produced by an internal cut 69 of substan-- A further tab 70 may be formed on;

tially U-shape. the. upper tuckfiap 39 by an internal cut 71. The tab -rnay be readily grasped during insertion of the tuck flaps 39, dtpunderthe corresponding hollow side wall structure 74 of the box body A. l

The blank may be assembled into box form as follows: The creases53 and 56 are preferably first prebroken. Adhesive a is then applied to the inner side wall panels 34'and 36 andadhesive a may further be applied to the valley portion 61 of the inner main panel 35. The blank may then be folded along the fold'line 43 to bringithe outerside panels 12 and 13 into adhesive engagement with the inner side panels 34 and 36. Simultaneously the valley portion 61 of the panel 35 is caused to adhere to the central portionof the main panel 11. Thereafter, the blank may be folded along the fold line 49 to bring thelower tuck-flap 4% over the upper tuck flap 39.andi to bring the liner panel 41' into a position to overlie the easelor display panel 38.

The resulting structure is shown in Figure 3: It'may be stored and shipped in flat collapsed condition, requir-"' ing a minimum of space, and may be set up into hollow box form by a few simple assembly operations as follows:

The side walls 12, 34 and 13, 36 which are of twoply construction, due to the aforementioned gluing operation, are first folded into upright position with regard to the main panel 11. This causes the inner main panel 35 to assume a corrugated or undulatcd contour. Since the central valley portion 61 of the inner main panel is adhesively secured to the-outer main panel 11 it cannot rise, but the ridge portions 57, 58, 59 and 60 are caused to assume an angular position with respect to each other to form ridges 53 and 56. This is clearly shown in Figure 4 in which the structure is shown in half assembled condition.

The corner flaps 20, 21, 22 and 23 are then folded at right angles to their respective end panels 12 and 13 and the end walls are then assembled by. first foldingthe other end panels 16 and 17 into upright position and then folding the inner end panels 28 and 29 over the previously folded corner flaps. The end edges 72 and 73 snap past the ridges 53 and 56 of the undulated inner main panel and extend into the space between the ridges and the outer main panel 11 to maintain the end wall structure in assembled condition. If the ridges 53 and 56 are at a substantial elevation above the outermain panel 11, the inner end panels may be creased or flexed slightly at their respective auxiliary crease lines 32 and 33' to facilitate insertion of the ends of the inner end'panels into the proper space.

The cover structure is now ready for assembly with the box body. For this purpose the tuck flap 39 is inserted into the hollow space of the side wall 74 of the box body and. the tuck fiap 42 is inserted into the hollow space of the side wall 75 of the box body (see Figures land 5). Creasing or flexing of the liner panel 41 along the auxiliary fold line 52 facilitates this operation.

Figure 5 shows the combined box body and cover assembly with the cover inserted in upright position into the space between the end walls 66 and 67 of the box. In this position the display panel 38 is tilted and supported by the back panel 37.

'When the cover is closed, the display panel 38 and I the back panel 37 straighten out along the fold line 47 to overlie the liner panel 41. The closed box is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 illustrates a modified construction in which the inner main panel 35' forms a single arch over. the outer main panel. A single auxiliary crease 76 may be employed if it is desired to produce a sharply defined ridge, rather than a dome, elevated with respect to themain panel 11. In this construction the outer and inner side wall panels 12, 34 and 13, 36 are adhesively secured together, but the inner main panel 35 is not attached to the outermain panel 11.

Obviously the present invention is not limited to its use as a cover structure but may, with equal advantage, be employed as a box body to contain merchandise;

What is claimed is:

l. A folding box structure, particularly an inside-fitting cover for a hollow walled box, said structure comprising, atop wall, front and back walls, and end walls, said front and back Walls and end walls being substantially. perpendicular to'said top wall, all said walls being of two-- ply construction comprising an inner and an outer wall panel in each wall, the inner top wall panel being of width substantially equal to the distance between said end walls and being of a lengthgreater than the distancebetween said front and back walls, considering the inner top panel in flat condition, said inner top panel being traversed by-transverse crease lines substantially parallel to said front and back walls and being creased at said lines to form undulations; a hinge panel articulated to said back wall; and a'pan'el structure articulated to said hinge panel the structure is to form a cover.

' 2. A folding box structure, particularly an inside-fitting cover for a hollow walled box, said structure comprising, a top wall, front and back walls, and end walls, said front and back walls and end walls being substantially perpendicular to said top wall, all said walls being of two-ply construction comprising an inner and an outer wall panel in each wall, the inner top wall panel being of width substantially equal to the distance between said end walls and being of a length greater than the distance between said front and back walls, considering the inner top panel in fiat condition, said inner top panel being traversed by transverse crease lines substantially parallel to said front and back walls and being creased at said lines to form undulations; a hinge panel articulated to said back wall; a bottom liner panel articulated to said hinge panel; and a securing panel articulated to said bottom liner panel, the total length of said hinge panel plus the said bottom liner panel being substantially equal to the length of the outer top panel.

3. The construction of a lined folding box comprising an inner main panel and an outer main panel; a pair of inner and outer side panels articulated to said inner and outer main panels, respectively, said inner and outer side panels being adhesively secured together; outer end panels articulated to said outer main panel; inner end panels articulated to said outer end panels and folded thereover in the set up box; corner fiaps articulated to side panels along corner fold lines and extending between the inner and outer end panels in the set up box, the dimension of the inner main panel and the location of its bordering side fold lines being such that the inner main panel is too large to be accommodated in fiat condition between the upright side walls and that the length of the inner main panel plus the length of the inner side panels equals the length of the outer main panel plus the length of the outer side panels so that the inner main panel lies flat on the outer main panel when the pre-glued blank is in flat collapsed condition, the inner main panel comprising transverse crease lines along which it is creased to form undulations, the crests of the undulations extending beyond the edge of the inner end wall panels.

4. The construction of a lined folding box as set forth in the preceding claim 3 in which a portion of the undulated inner main panel is adhesively secured to the outer main panel intermediate said side fold lines.

5. A lined folding box structure assembled from a tubular blank, the structure comprising, an outer main panel; a pair of outer end panels articulated to the outer main panel along outer end fold lines; an inner end panel articulated to each of said outer end panels along a ridge fold line; a pair of outer side panels articulated to the outer main panel along outer side fold lines; an inner side panel overlying each of said outer side panels; an inner main panel integral with and articulated to, said inner side panels along inner side fold lines, the dimension of the inner main panel measured between its bordering inner side fold lines, and the location of said inner side fold lines being such that the inner main panel overlies the outer main panel in substantially fiat condition when the blank is flat, and that the space between the inner side walls is insuificient to accommodate the inner main panel in flat condition when the side walls are upright with respect to the outer main panel, the length of the inner main panel plus the length of the inner side panels being equal to the length of the outer main panel plus the length of the outer side panels, the inner main panel being traversed by crease lines along which the inner main panel is creased to form undulation in the setup box, the end edges of the inner end panels extending into the space between the crests of the undulations and the outer main-panel; and corner flaps articulated to the side walls and extending between the inner and the outer end wall panels in the set up box.

for insertion under the hollow wall of a box for which 6. ..A folding box structure, particularly an inside-fit ting cover fora hollow walled box,rthe structure com. prising, an outer main panel; a pair of outer end panels articulated to the outer main panel along outer end fold lines; an inner end panel articulated to each of said out-. er end panels along a ridge fold line; a pair of outer side panels articulated to the outer main panel along outer side fold lines; an inner side panel overlying each of said outer side panels and being adhesively secured thereto; an inner main panel integral with and articulated to, said inner side panels along inner side fold lines, said inner main panel being traversed by crease lines along which the inner main panel is creased to form undulations extending substantially parallel to said side walls, the length of the inner main panels, undulations flattened out, being greater than the distance between said inner side panels, the inner end panels extending into the space between said outer main panel and the crest of said undulations; corner flaps articulated to the outer side panels along corner fold lines, said corner flap extending into the space between said inner end panels and said outer end panels; a hinge panel articulated toone of said inner side panels; a bottom liner panel articulated to said hinge panel; and a securing panel articulated to said bottom liner panel, the total length of said hinge panel plus the bottom liner panel being substantially equal to the length of the outer top panel.

7. A folding box structure, particularly an inside-fitting cover for a hollow walled box, the structure comprising, an outer main panel; a pair of outer end panels articulated to the outermain panel along outer end fold lines; an inner end panel articulated to each of said outer end panels; a pair of outer side panels articulated to the outer main panel along outer side fold lines; an inner side panel overlying each of said outer side panels; an inner main panel integral with, and articulated to, said inner side panels along inner side fold lines; corner flaps articulated to said outer side panels along corner fold lines, said corner flaps extending between said inner end panels and said outer end panels; a hinge panel articulated to one of said inner side panels; a bottom liner panel articulated to said hinge panel; and a securing panel articulated to said bottom liner panel, the combined length of said hinge panel and said liner panel being substantially equal to the length of said outer main panel, length being measured between bordering lines of articulation.

8. The construction of a lined folding box which comprises a main wall, side walls, and end walls, all of twoply construction comprising an inner and an outer wall panel in each wall, the side walls being adhered together, characterized in that the dimension of the inner wall panel measured between the side walls is larger than can be accommodated between the side walls in flat condition and that the inner main wall panel is undulated, the crests of the undulations extending beyond the edge of the inner end wall panels closest to the outer main panel, the

length of the inner main wall plus the length of the inner side walls being equal to the length of the outer main Wall plus the length of the outer side walls, whereby the innermain wall lies flat on the outer main wall in the collapsed flat blank comprising said adhered side walls.

9. The construction of a lined folding box which comprises a main wall, side walls, and end walls, said main Wall and side walls being of two-ply construction comprising an inner and an outer wall panel in said main wall and in said side walls, the inner and outer side walls being adhered together, the inner main panel being articulated to the inner side wall panels, characterized in that the dimension of the inner wall panel, measured between the side walls, is larger than can be accommodated between the side walls in flat condition and that the inner main wall panel is undulated, the valleys of the undulations contacting the outer main panel and the crests of the undulations being spaced from said outer main panel,

the length of the inner-main wall plus the length of the inner sidewalls. being equal to the length ofthe. outer main'walliplus the length of the outerside walls, whereby the inner main wall lies flat'on the outer main wall inthe collapsed flat'blank comprising said adhered side walls. 7

10. The constructionas set forth in the preceding claim 9 in which the inner side wall panels are of'a lesser depth than the'outer side wall panels whereby the lower edges of the inner side wall panels tn which the inner main panel is articulated are spaced from the outer main panel. References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Eisenkraft Mar. 8, 1921 McDonough Dec. 2, 1952 

